Festival Essentials: How to Pack the Perfect Festival Bag

You know we care a lot about protecting your hearing, so whether you’re cool with foam earplugs or you have a nice pair, please remember to bring them! Beyond bringing them, please wear them. We’re all going to be struggling so hard when we’re having our rave parties in the retirement homes, we’re not going to be able to hear a thing. But we’d like to hear the music for as long as we can, and that’s exactly why we made this guide to the best in the business.

Most earplugs aside from the foam ones come in a little carrying case, which is super handy. We also recommend bringing a small sunscreen on a carabiner clip, because the cool kids re-apply throughout the day. The best part about the carabiner clip is you can also attach your earplugs carrying case, and other small clip-able items.

We bought a ton of fans for EDC and handed them out to strangers who were struggling, and of course kept a couple for ourselves. The metal loop at the end of the fan is perfect for clipping to your bag if you need it really often. Or if you’d rather put it in your backpack, it doesn’t take up much room. If you’re going somewhere really hot, bring a small spray bottle too! Nothing feels better than the mist and fan combination. Some of them are really compact, too so it doesn’t have to add bulk to your bag, just refreshment.

Naturally, you’re going to need sunglasses for this outdoor adventure. And although not required, you might as well throw a pair or diffraction or kaleidoscope glasses in your bag. They’re fun, and even if you don’t feel like using them at the time, you can spread the joy to someone else by sharing. Pro tip: get a neck strap for your diffraction glasses or sunglasses. They sell ones that look cool(ish), and it keeps you from accidentally losing them in a porta-potty or crushing them in your bag, both of which would be tragic.

No festival in a dry climate would be complete without chapstick. Don’t forget that most festivals make you bring in sealed chapstick only, so buy a few when you go festival shopping. The other less-talked-about necessity is baby powder. You don’t necessarily have to bring it in with you (they may not let you since it’s a suspicious white powder), but definitely apply in before you go inside. We have only three words to sum up the importance of this: chafing isn’t fun.

Last but not least, keep some gum around to keep your salivary glands working, and your mouth tasting like watermelon or mint or whatever you choose. More importantly, don’t forget to pack a couple snacks. Festival food isn’t always the best food, and even when it is (looking at you, Shambhala Farm Burgers) it’s still good to have something in your bag just in case you need something small throughout the day. After all, you’re burning a ton of calories walking around and dancing for hours. Your body needs a little something to replace that!

What’s your can’t-live-without item that you always put in your backpack?